Congratulations are in order for GASP board member Harold Rickenbacker, who will be honored in May with a Carnegie Science Award.
“The Carnegie Science Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the remarkably talented individuals and organizations in our region’s science community,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl, Jr., Interim Director of Carnegie Science Center. “These innovators have had an immeasurable impact on Pittsburgh’s healthcare, manufacturing, energy, environmental, and education industries. Their achievements, dedication, and perseverance are truly inspiring.”
Carnegie Science Award winners are selected by a committee of peers—both past awardees and industry leaders—who rigorously reviewed more than 200 nominations and selected the most deserving scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, communicators, educators, and students whose contributions have led to significant economic or societal benefit in western Pennsylvania.
Rickenbacker, of the Swanson School Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh, is being lauded for his work addressing indoor and ambient air quality in under-served Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
While pursuing his PhD at Pitt, Rickenbacker “integrated engineering and environmental justice” through an initiative in Pittsburgh’s East End called the Environmental Justice Community Alert Matrix.
He led training sessions to provide more than 200 residents with the technical knowledge to identify environmental concerns within their homes, while detailing the importance of addressing environmental sustainability at the nexus of water use, energy consumption, and air pollution.
“Harold is committed to paying it forward, and his efforts are improving the health and quality of life of the communities he works with for years to come,” a press release announcing award recipients explained.
Rickenbacker and other awardees will be celebrated at the 23rd Annual Carnegie Science Awards Celebration Friday, May 10.
“Congratulations to Harold on this well-deserved recognition.” GASP Executive Director Rachel Filippini said. “We are so lucky to have someone with his expertise working in local communities, helping to make the connection between public health and environmental justice issues.”